JP2000035337A - Navigation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a navigation apparatus by which a position and a trend can be grasped from each other by a method wherein a means which is connected to a communication means is provided and a communication control means by which the connected communication means is controlled so as to communicate with a communication means provided at another navigation apparatus is provided. SOLUTION: A present-position computing means 5 in a navigation apparatus 17 compares the position of a vehicle positioned periodically by a GPS sensor 7 with a road network, and it performs a map matching processing operation which corrects their deviation. While a position which is found by the map matching processing operation is used as a reference, the running track of the vehicle is computed by a self-contained navigation operation on the basis of a movement distance and a direction which are detected by a vehicle-speed sensor 4 and a direction sensor 3, its deviation from the road network is corrected, and the present position of the vehicle is found. The communication of the navigation apparatus 17, by a portable telephone 16, with another navigation apparatus is performed in parallel with their navigation operations. Their shape is a direct communication operation, and it is equal to the communication shape of an ordinary portable telephone.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a navigation device for displaying a road map showing the position of a vehicle on a display.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, on-vehicle navigation devices which detect the position of a vehicle and display a road map indicating the position on a display as a display means have been widely used.
Such a navigation device position detection method for a vehicle includes a GPS positioning method in which a GPS receiver measures the position using a radio wave from a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite, and a vehicle trajectory based on a travel distance and an azimuth of the vehicle. Self-contained navigation that detects the position of a vehicle.

At present, a map matching process for periodically comparing the position of a vehicle measured by the GPS positioning method with a road network and correcting the deviation is performed as shown in FIG. If the reliability of the position measured by the GPS positioning method is low, the position is suspended.) Based on the position obtained by this map matching processing, FIG.
As shown in (a), a hybrid method of comparing a traveling trajectory of a vehicle calculated by self-contained navigation with a road network and correcting the deviation by a map matching process is mainly employed.

[0004] In such a navigation device, route network map data connecting each intersection on a road map is created based on the map information recorded on the recording medium, and based on the route network map data. A route search device that searches for a route from a current point to a destination point has been put to practical use. In this route search device, the map information includes, for each intersection, an intersection name, coordinates of the intersection on a map, a connecting road connected to the intersection, an intersection connected to the connecting road, a distance of the connecting road, a required travel time, and the like. And obtains a connection route composed of connection roads between intersections included between the current point and the destination point, and then calculates the total travel time of the connection road for each connection route, Select the connection path with the shortest time.

[0005] When such a navigation device has a communication function, information desired by a user can be obtained from an information provider via various communication lines such as a mobile telephone line. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the mobile phone 16 is mounted on each of the vehicles E to H, and the mobile phone 16 is connected to the navigation device 20 to which the mobile phone 16 is connected.
, The required information is requested from the providing company 21, and the information providing company 21 individually transmits the requested information to the mobile phone 16 and provides the requested information to the navigation device 20. The information provided includes traffic congestion information, parking lot information, surrounding sightseeing spot introduction information, gas station information, service center information, and the like. The navigation device 20 communicates with the information providing company 21 on a one-to-one basis. It does not communicate with.

[0006]

For example, when a plurality of people meet at a certain place or gather at the same destination on the spot, if each of them moves by car, the meeting place or the gathering place is reached. People who arrive early feel late or slow in arriving, and are often worried or frustrated. In this case, if both have a mobile phone, they can contact each other, but using a mobile phone while driving is a major factor in traffic accidents. Further, even if a late driver gets lost, the current position of the car cannot be grasped, so that the driver cannot be instructed on the route. Therefore, the person waiting may not be able to predict the arrival time of the other party, and may be unable to move.

On the other hand, when a plurality of cars go to the same destination, it is often the case that one car leads and another car follows it. In this case, the following vehicle will be lost if you do not follow the vehicle in front.If you enter an intersection or change lanes, you will not be able to drive excessively.
Attention to driving may be distracted, which often results in traffic accidents. In addition, the driver of the leading vehicle must always be aware of whether the following vehicle is following the vehicle, so that attention to driving is often distracted. Therefore, in such a case, when the number of vehicles becomes several or more, it is difficult to lead with one vehicle, and eventually, a vehicle may get lost.

Further, even when each car is equipped with a navigation device, if the route set by each navigation device is different, the vehicle may be caught in traffic or may deviate from the route without being noticed. The driver may not be able to grasp each other's position and movement, and the driver often becomes uneasy.

In addition, buses of a plurality of bus companies at sightseeing spots and the like may follow the same route to the same destination, causing heavy traffic during the sightseeing season. In this case, the bus route and sightseeing order may be changed. It is often possible to reduce traffic congestion by changing the arrival time at the sightseeing spot slightly. But,
In the current system, it is difficult for each driver to grasp the position of each bus that changes moment by moment, so that it is impossible to slightly shift the arrival time at the tourist spot. The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device that can grasp a position and a trend of each other.

[0010]

A navigation device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a storage device for storing a road network, and a display device for displaying the road network stored in the storage device together with the detected position. And a communication control means for controlling the communication means connected to the communication means to communicate with the communication means provided in another navigation device.

In this navigation device, the storage means stores the road network, and the display means displays the road network stored in the storage means together with the detected position. The connecting means is connected to the communication means, and the communication control means controls the connected communication means to communicate with the communication means of another navigation device. Thereby, the position and the movement can be transmitted and received to and from the other navigation devices, and the position and the movement can be grasped from each other.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a navigation device comprising: a storage unit for storing a road network; and a display unit for displaying the road network stored by the storage unit together with the detected position. A communication control unit that controls the communication unit to communicate with a communication unit included in another navigation device.

In this navigation device, the storage means stores the road network, and the display means displays the road network stored in the storage means together with the detected position. The communication control unit controls the communication unit to communicate with a communication unit included in another navigation device. Thus, the position and the movement can be transmitted and received to and from the other navigation devices without connecting other communication means such as a mobile phone, and the position and the movement can be grasped from each other.

[0014] A navigation device according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the communication control means causes the communication means to simultaneously communicate with communication means provided in other navigation devices.

In this navigation apparatus, the communication control means causes the communication means to simultaneously communicate with the communication means provided in the other navigation apparatuses, so that the communication control means can transmit and receive positions and trends to and from the plurality of navigation apparatuses. The position and the movement can be grasped from each other.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a navigation device comprising: a registration unit for registering a plurality of numbers for calling another communication unit; and a selection unit for selecting one or a plurality from the plurality of numbers registered by the registration unit. The communication control unit further includes:
The communication unit calls the number selected by the selection unit.

In this navigation device, the registration means registers a plurality of numbers for calling other communication means, and the selection means selects one or a plurality from the plurality of numbers registered by the registration means. The communication control means causes the communication means to call the number selected by the selection means. Thus, the users can transmit and receive the position and the movement to each other with a simple operation, and can grasp the position and the movement to each other.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the navigation device, the communication control means causes the communication means to transmit the information indicating the detected position, and the communication means receives the information indicating the position detected by another navigation device. The display means displays the position indicated by the information received by the communication means together with the road network.

In this navigation device, the communication control means causes the communication means to transmit information indicating the detected position,
The communication means receives information indicating a position detected by another navigation device. The display means displays the position indicated by the information received by the communication means together with the road network. This allows
Positions and trends can be transmitted to and received from other navigation devices, and the positions and trends can be grasped from each other.

[0020] The navigation device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the navigation device further comprises a voice notifying means for notifying by voice a position indicated by the information received by the communication means.

In this navigation device, the voice notification means notifies the position indicated by the information received by the communication means by voice, so that the user can grasp the position and movement of another navigation device without looking at the display screen. be able to.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a navigation device comprising: a section information storage unit for storing information for each predetermined section of the road network; and a section for storing the predetermined section based on the information for each predetermined section stored by the section information storage means. Route setting means for selecting and setting a travel route between the detected position and the input destination point by calculating a travel time required for the connection combination, wherein the display means is configured to select and set the travel route. The travel route is displayed together with the road network, and
The route setting means selects and sets a travel route from a position indicated by the information received by the communication means to the destination, and the display means displays a travel time required for the travel route selected and set by the route setting means. It is characterized by doing.

In this navigation device, the section information storage means stores information for each predetermined section of the road network, and the route setting means sets the connection of the predetermined section based on the information for each predetermined section stored in the section information storage means. The travel route between the detected position and the input destination is selected and set by calculating the travel time required for the combination. The display means displays the travel route selected and set by the route setting means together with the road network. In addition, the route setting means selects and sets a travel route from the position indicated by the information received by the communication means to the destination, and the display means displays the required travel time of the travel route selected and set by the route setting means. Thus, the user can know the time required for another vehicle aiming at the same destination to arrive at the destination.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the navigation device, the route setting means selects and sets a traveling route from the detected position to a position indicated by information received from the predetermined navigation device by the communication means, The means displays the travel route selected and set by the route setting means together with the road network.

In this navigation device, the route setting means selects and sets a traveling route from the detected position to the position indicated by the information received from the predetermined navigation device by the communication means. The display means displays the travel route selected and set by the route setting means together with the road network. This allows the user to follow the leading vehicle without getting lost.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the navigation device, when the position indicated by the information received from the predetermined navigation device by the communication device has been stopped for a predetermined time or more, the route setting device sets the communication device to another navigation device. From the position indicated by the information received from the, select and set a traveling route from the position to the position stopped for the predetermined time or more, the display means,
It is characterized in that the required travel time of the travel route selected and set by the route setting means is displayed.

In this navigation device, when the position indicated by the information received by the communication means from the predetermined navigation device has stopped for a predetermined time or more, the route setting means determines the position indicated by the information received by the communication means from another navigation device. , The travel route up to the stop position for the predetermined time or more is selected and set, and the display means displays the required travel time of the travel route selected and set by the route setting means. Thereby, the user can know the required time of another vehicle to the destination where the leading vehicle has already arrived.

A navigation device according to a tenth aspect of the present invention
When the position indicated by the information received by the communication means from a predetermined navigation device has stopped for a predetermined time or more, the route setting means selectively sets a traveling route from the detected position to the position where the communication has stopped for the predetermined time or more. The display means displays the travel route selected and set by the route setting means together with the required travel time and the road network.

In this navigation device, when the position indicated by the information received by the communication means from the predetermined navigation device has stopped for a predetermined time or more, the route setting means sets the distance from the detected position to the position where the communication has stopped for the predetermined time or more. The traveling route is selected and set, and the display unit displays the traveling route selected and set by the route setting unit together with the required traveling time and the road network. Thus, the user can know the traveling route to the destination where the leading vehicle has already arrived and the required time.

The navigation device according to the eleventh invention is
The voice notifying means notifies by voice a traveling time required for the driving route selected and set by the route setting means.

In this navigation device, the voice notifying means notifies the required traveling time of the traveling route selected and set by the route setting means by voice, so that the user does not need to look at the display screen to check the own vehicle or another vehicle. You can know the travel time to the destination.

[0032]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an embodiment of a navigation device according to the present invention. The navigation device 17 includes a plurality of GPs.
A GPS receiver 8 for receiving radio waves from the S satellite,
A GPS positioning unit 7 for positioning by a GPS positioning method based on a radio wave received by the receiver 8, an azimuth sensor 3 for detecting a traveling azimuth of the vehicle based on geomagnetism or the like, and a pulse corresponding to a rotation speed of a wheel, A vehicle speed sensor 4 for detecting a vehicle speed and detecting a moving distance. The direction sensor 3
Instead, a gyro sensor that detects the behavior of the vehicle based on the acceleration may be used.

The navigation device 17 includes a road network storage unit 2 for storing road network data and traffic regulation data such as one-way traffic, and a vehicle speed sensor 4 based on the absolute position of the vehicle measured by the GPS positioning unit 7. Current position calculating means 5 for calculating the current position on the road network obtained from the road network storage unit 2 by the self-contained navigation which detects the current position from the running locus based on the distance detected by the direction sensor 3 and the direction detected by the direction sensor 3; As the current position calculating means 5 calculates the current position, the position determined by the GPS positioning unit 7 and the road network storage unit 2 are stored.
Map matching processing means for comparing the road trajectory obtained from the road network and correcting the deviation, and comparing the traveling locus of the vehicle calculated by the self-contained navigation with the road network obtained from the road network storage unit 2 to correct the deviation. 12 are provided. The road network storage unit 2 stores information for each link (expressed by a straight line connecting two different coordinate positions and passing in only one direction) that is a predetermined section of the road (section information storage unit). , A CD-ROM and a reproducing apparatus for the same.

The navigation device 17 indicates the current position based on the road network data, the traffic regulation data stored in the road network storage unit 2 and the current position of the mounted vehicle calculated by the current position calculating means 5. A display unit 9 which is a display for displaying a road map; a display control unit 10 for controlling the display unit 9; and an operation input unit 1 for a user to perform input operations such as setting input of a destination point and data input. It has.

The navigation device 17 performs a connection combination of the link between the current position and the destination point input from the operation input unit 1 based on the information from the road network storage unit 2. The route search means 11 (route setting means) which selects and sets the optimal route (travel route) between the current point and the destination by calculating the required travel time of the vehicle, and displays the route on the display unit 9 via the display control unit 10. )
And

The navigation device 17 also includes an interface 14 for connecting to a mobile phone 16 as communication means, and a communication destination registration memory 15 (registering means) for registering a plurality of numbers for calling another mobile phone. A communication destination selection unit 13 (selection means) for selecting one or more from a plurality of numbers registered in the communication destination registration memory 15;
A voice notification unit 9a (voice notification unit) for notifying the position indicated by the information received by voice, a voice notification unit 9a, an operation input unit 1, a current position calculation unit 5, a route search unit 11, a display control unit 10, Communication destination selection unit 13, interface 14
And a main control unit 6 for transmitting and receiving data to and from the communication destination registration memory 15, performing predetermined calculations as needed, and controlling each unit to perform its function. (First, third, fourth and sixth inventions)

The operation of the navigation device 17 having such a configuration will be described below. Navigation device 17
Is a map in which the current position calculation means 5 periodically compares the vehicle position measured by the GPS sensor 7 with the GPS positioning method and the road network, and corrects the deviation as shown in FIG. Perform matching processing. Next, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), the current position calculating means 5 becomes independent from the moving distance and the azimuth detected by the vehicle speed sensor 4 and the azimuth sensor 3 based on the position obtained by the map matching process. Calculate the running trajectory of the vehicle by navigation,
The calculated travel locus is compared with the road network, the deviation is corrected by map matching processing, and the current position of the vehicle is obtained.

The current position of the vehicle determined by the current position calculating means 5 is given to the main control unit 6. The main control unit 6
The given current position is displayed on the road map displayed by the display unit 9 based on the road network data and the traffic regulation data from the road network storage unit 2 in accordance with the operation signal input from the operation input unit 1.

The route searching means 11 includes a current position calculating means 5
Is performed based on the information from the road network storage unit 2 and the required travel time of each connection combination of the link is determined based on the information from the road network storage unit 2. The calculation is performed based on the link information obtained from the network storage unit 2, and the optimum route from the current location to the destination is selected using a route search algorithm such as the Dijkstra method. The link information includes information such as a link length, a speed limit, the number of lanes, a road type, the presence or absence of a road sign, and the presence or absence of a traffic signal.

The communication performed by the navigation device 17 with another navigation device is performed in parallel with the above-described navigation operation, and the form is, as shown in FIG. To D (of course, via a relay station and a telephone line (not shown)), which is equivalent to a normal mobile phone communication mode. Therefore,
A mobile phone line, which is already equipped, is the easiest means to realize it.
6 is used. However, another wireless device or the like may be used, or a mobile phone or a wireless device or the like may be built in (second invention).

The navigation device 17 of each of the vehicles A to D
The mutual current position information is exchanged through the mobile phone 16.
The current position information is obtained by the above-described navigation operation. The current position information is transmitted and received using standardized coordinates such as latitude data and longitude data in order to prevent differences and errors due to differences in map data of the navigation device 17 and the like. The conversion of the current position information into the standardized coordinates is executed by the current position calculating means 5 based on the position information after the map matching, and the converted position data (standard coordinate data) is transmitted to the main control unit 6, the interface 14, It is transmitted through the mobile phone 16.

On the other hand, the position information of the other vehicle received by the mobile phone 16 from the other navigation device 17 is given to the current position calculating means 5 through the interface 14 and the main control unit 6 and used by the navigation device 17 received. Is converted to coordinate value data on the map data. As described above, the position of another navigation device can be displayed on the map data used by each navigation device 17. The ID data of each navigation device 17 is added to the position information transmitted and received by each navigation device 17 (each car). When the mobile phone 16 is used as in the present embodiment, the telephone number of the mobile phone 16 is set to I
D data can be used, but other ID data may be used as long as they conform to the communication specifications of the communication line and can be identified mutually.

The user operates the operation input unit 1 to register the ID data of the communicable partner navigation device in the communication registration destination memory 15 in advance. In addition, the operation input unit 1 is operated to select the ID data of the navigation device to be communicated from the communication registration destination memory 15 in accordance with the usage method at each time. Thereby, when communicating, the trouble of inputting the ID data (telephone number) of the communication partner is reduced, and the operation while driving the car is facilitated.

Hereinafter, the communication operation of such a navigation device will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. For example, when three cars A to C head for the same destination or when meeting at a certain place, the user sets a destination from the operation input unit 1 of the navigation device of the car A (FIG. 3S10). Similarly, destinations are set for the navigation devices of the cars B and C (S20, 30).

Next, in the navigation device of the car A, the current position calculating means 5 obtains detection data from the GPS positioning unit 7, the direction sensor 3, and the vehicle speed sensor 4 (S1).
1), the current position is determined by a map matching process (S12). Similarly, also in the navigation devices of the cars B and C, each current position calculating means 5 acquires detection data from each sensor (S21, 31) and determines the current position (S2).
2, 32).

In the navigation device of the car A, the current position calculating means 5 converts the coordinates of the determined current position into a standardized coordinate system (S13), and the main control section 6 calls the cars B and C which the mobile phone 16 calls. Is transmitted together with the ID data of the navigation device (mobile phone 16) of the car A to the mobile phone 16 through the main control unit 6, the interface 14, and the mobile phone 16 (S14). Similarly, in the navigation devices of the cars B and C, the respective current position calculating means 5 convert the coordinates of the determined current position into a standardized coordinate system (S23, S3).
3) Transmit to the mobile phones 16 of the other two vehicles together with their own ID data (S24, S34). (Fifth invention)

The navigation device of the car A is a mobile phone 1
6 individually receives the current position information of the vehicles B and C converted into the standardized coordinate system (S15), and converts the received current position information into the coordinate system of the navigation device of the vehicle A (S15).
16). Similarly, in the navigation devices of the vehicles B and C, each of the mobile phones 16 individually receives the current position information of the other vehicle converted into the standardized coordinate system (S25, 35), and the coordinate system of the navigation device of the own vehicle. (S26, S36).

The navigation device of the car A displays the current position determined by the map matching processing (S12) and the current positions of the cars B and C received by the mobile phone 16 (S15) on the display unit 9 (S17). . (Fifth invention) At this time, priority is given to the current position of the own vehicle (car A), and if the current position of the own vehicle and the current position of another vehicle do not fit in the same figure,
Only the current position of the own vehicle is displayed, and the current position of the other vehicle is displayed when a map including the current position of the other vehicle is displayed by scrolling or the like. The current positions of the cars A to C can be identified by shapes, colors, and the like. The current positions of the cars B and C are notified by voice from the voice notification unit 9a.
(Sixth invention)

The navigation device of the car A is composed of the cars A to C
Is displayed on the display unit 9 (S17), and the route search means 11 selects a route until each of the cars B and C arrives at the destination, calculates the required time, and calculates the required time.
To be displayed. The time required for the vehicles B and C to reach their destinations is notified by voice from the voice notification unit 9a. (Seventh and eleventh inventions) Next, in the navigation device of the car A, unless a new destination is set or reset (S18),
The detection data is acquired from each sensor (S11), and the current position is determined by the map matching process (S12). When a new destination is set or reset (S
18) Return.

Similarly, the navigation devices of the cars B and C are determined by the map matching process (S22, S3).
2) Each current position and each mobile phone 16 received (S2
5, 35) The current position of the other vehicle is displayed on the display unit (S2).
7, 37). Next, similarly, detection data is acquired from each sensor (S21, 31), and the current position is determined by the map matching process (S22, 32), or the process returns.

Thereafter, for example, when the car A arrives at the destination for the first time, the navigation device of the car A sets each of the cars A to C
Is displayed on the display unit 9, and the route search means 11 selects a route until the vehicles B and C arrive at the destination, calculates the required time, and displays the calculated time on the display unit 9. The time required for the vehicles B and C to reach their destinations is notified by voice from the voice notification unit 9a.
(Eleventh Invention) When the car B or the car C arrives at the destination for the first time, the navigation device of the car B or the car C is performed similarly to the navigation device of the car A described above.

For example, when one car A leads a plurality of cars B and C, the navigation device of the leading cars B and C first sets a route setting flag indicating whether or not a route has already been set. It is set to “0” (S40 in FIG. 4). Next, car B,
In the navigation device of C, the mobile phone 16
Receiving the current position information of the leading vehicle A from the navigation device, and converting it into the coordinate system of the navigation device of the own vehicle,
The current position data of the leading vehicle A is obtained (S41). Next, the navigation devices of the cars B and C check whether or not the route setting flag is "1" (S42). If the route setting flag is not "1", the current position of the leading vehicle A and the own vehicle are checked. It is checked whether the current position matches the current position (S43).

If the current position of the leading vehicle A and the current position of the own vehicle do not match (S43), the route searching means 11 determines the current position of the leading vehicle A as the destination. (S44), the current position of the own vehicle is set as the departure place (S45), and the route is selected and set (S46). In this case, the leading vehicle A and the vehicles B and C correspond to a case where the vehicle heads from different places to the same destination. Next, the navigation devices of the vehicles B and C set the route setting flag to “1” (S47), and the mobile phone 16 receives the current position information of the other vehicle from the navigation device of the other vehicle, and the navigation device of the own vehicle. Then, the current coordinate data of the other vehicle is obtained (S41).

If the current position of the leading vehicle A included in the current position of the other vehicle and the current position of the own vehicle coincide with each other (S43), the navigation devices of the vehicles B and C match each other.
Sets the destination and the departure point to the current position (S48),
The route setting flag is set to “1” (S47), and the mobile phone 1
6 receives the current position information of the leading vehicle A from the navigation device of the leading vehicle A, converts it into the coordinate system of the navigation device of the own vehicle, and acquires the current position data of the leading vehicle A (S41). This case corresponds to a case where the cars B and C move from the same place according to the leading car A.

If the route setting flag is "1" (S42), the navigation devices of the cars B and C acquire the information (S4).
1) The current position data of the leading vehicle A is stored in the memory, and its trajectory is stored (S49). Next, the navigation devices of the cars B and C add the stored trajectory of the leading car A to the set route (S46, 48) (S50). Next, the navigation devices of the cars B and C
Obtains detection data from the GPS positioning unit 7, the azimuth sensor 3, and the vehicle speed sensor 4 (S51), and determines the current position by map matching processing (S52).

In the navigation apparatus for cars B and C, the current position calculation means 5 converts the determined coordinates of the current position into a standardized coordinate system, and the main control section 6 makes the mobile phone 16 call the mobile phone of another vehicle. The ID is transmitted together with the ID data of the navigation device (mobile phone 16) of the vehicle through the main control unit 6, the interface 14, and the mobile phone 16 to the mobile phone 16 (S53). Next, the navigation devices of the vehicles B and C display the current positions of the leading vehicle A and the other vehicles C and B on the display unit 9 (S55). A route to arrive at the position is selected, the required time is calculated, and the route and the required time are displayed on the display unit 9 (S54). The time required for the vehicle to reach the destination is notified by voice from the voice notification unit 9a. (Eighth and eleventh inventions)

When the current position of the leading vehicle A stops for a predetermined time or more, the navigation devices of the vehicles B and C
Is determined to have arrived at the destination, the routes of the other vehicles C and B to the destination are selected, the required time is calculated, and the required time is displayed on the display unit 9. The required time is notified by voice from the voice notification unit 9a. (Ninth and eleventh inventions) When the current position of the leading vehicle A has stopped for a predetermined time or more, the navigation devices for the vehicles B and C determine that the leading vehicle A has arrived at the destination, and The route to the ground is selected, the required time is calculated, and the route and the required time are displayed on the display unit 9 (S54). The required time is
Notification is made by voice from the voice notification unit 9a. (10th, 1st
1 invention)

Next, the navigation devices for the cars B and C are as follows:
When the communication operation for tracking the leading vehicle is reset (S56), the process returns. When the communication operation is not reset, the mobile phone 16 receives the current position information of the leading vehicle A from the navigation device of the leading vehicle A, and Then, the current position data of the leading vehicle A is converted into the coordinate system of the navigation device (S41).

Here, if the route is set and the route setting flag is "1", the leading of the car A has been started, and the current position data of the leading car A which changes every moment is obtained as needed.
The obtained current position data of the leading vehicle A is stored in the memory. This accumulated position data is already set (S
46) The trajectory along which the leading vehicle A moves by being added to the route is added to the route already set (S46). That is, until the vehicles B and C reach the destination (the departure point of the leading vehicle A), the route is guided according to the set route (S46), and after the vehicles B and C reach the destination, or When the start position and the departure point are set to the current position (S48), route guidance is performed by following the trajectory of the leading vehicle A. On the other hand, the communication operation of the leading vehicle A is the same as the communication operation (FIG. 3) in the case where the three vehicles A to C go to the same destination.

[0060]

According to the navigation apparatus of the first invention, the position and the movement can be transmitted / received to / from another navigation apparatus, and the position and the movement can be grasped by each other. In addition, the number of calls during driving caused by contact with a mobile phone or the like is reduced, and traffic accidents caused by the calls during driving can be reduced. In addition, since the position of another vehicle accompanying or meeting can be ascertained, the psychological burden on the driver can be reduced.

According to the navigation device of the second aspect, the position and the movement can be transmitted and received to and from the other navigation devices without connecting other communication means such as a mobile phone, and the position and the movement can be grasped from each other. can do. In addition, the number of calls during driving caused by contact with a mobile phone or the like is reduced, and traffic accidents caused by the calls during driving can be reduced. In addition, since the position of another vehicle accompanying or meeting can be ascertained, the psychological burden on the driver can be reduced.

According to the navigation device of the third aspect, the positions and trends can be transmitted and received to and from the plurality of navigation devices, and the positions and trends can be grasped from each other.

According to the navigation device of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the users can transmit and receive positions and trends to each other with a simple operation, and can grasp the positions and trends to each other.

According to the navigation device of the fifth aspect, the position and the movement can be transmitted and received to and from the other navigation devices, and the position and the movement can be grasped by each other. In addition, when used simultaneously in a sightseeing car, the user can see at a glance the degree of congestion in the sightseeing spots, change the sightseeing order flexibly, and alleviate congestion and congestion in the sightseeing spots. .

According to the navigation device of the sixth aspect, the user can grasp the position and movement of another navigation device without looking at the display screen.

According to the navigation device of the seventh aspect, the user can know the time required for another vehicle aiming at the same destination to arrive at the destination.

According to the navigation device of the eighth aspect, the driver of the following vehicle can follow the leading vehicle without getting lost. Further, when following the leading vehicle, it is possible to reduce traffic accidents caused by unreasonable driving or distraction of surroundings. In addition, the driver of the leading vehicle is not distracted by the following vehicle, so that the driver is not distracted from driving, and the possibility of causing a traffic accident can be reduced.

According to the navigation device of the ninth aspect, the user can know the required time of another vehicle to the destination where the leading vehicle has already arrived.

According to the navigation device of the tenth aspect, the user can know the traveling route to the destination where the leading vehicle has already arrived and the required time.

According to the navigation apparatus of the eleventh aspect, the user can know the required travel time of the own vehicle or another vehicle to the destination without looking at the display screen.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an embodiment of a navigation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an operation of the navigation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the navigation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the navigation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an operation of the navigation device.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an operation of a conventional navigation device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 operation input unit 2 road network storage unit (storage unit, section information storage unit) 3 direction sensor 4 vehicle speed sensor 5 current position calculation unit 6 main control unit (communication control unit) 7 GPS positioning unit 8 GPS receiver 9 display unit ( 9a Voice notification unit (voice notification unit) 11 Route search unit (route setting unit) 12 Map matching processing unit 13 Communication destination selection unit (selection unit) 14 Interface (connection unit) 15 Communication destination registration memory (registering unit) 16 Mobile phone (communication means) 17 Navigation device

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page F term (reference) 2C032 HB22 HB25 HC08 HC22 HC31 HD04 HD12 HD16 HD30 2F029 AA02 AB01 AB07 AB09 AB13 AC02 AC06 AC09 AC14 AC18 AC19 AD05 5H180 AA01 BB04 BB05 CC12 FF04 FF05 FF07 FF11 FF32 FF25 FF25FF

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A navigation apparatus comprising: a storage unit for storing a road network; and a display unit for displaying the road network stored by the storage unit together with a detected position. A navigation device, comprising: a communication control unit that controls a connected communication unit to communicate with a communication unit included in another navigation device. 2. A navigation apparatus comprising: a storage unit for storing a road network; and a display unit for displaying the road network stored by the storage unit together with a detected position. A navigation device comprising: communication control means for controlling communication with communication means provided in the device. 3. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the communication control unit causes the communication unit to simultaneously communicate with communication units included in a plurality of other navigation devices. 4. The communication control means further comprising: a registration means for registering a plurality of numbers for calling another communication means; and a selection means for selecting one or a plurality of numbers from the plurality of numbers registered by the registration means. 4. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the communication device calls the number selected by the selection device. 5. The communication control unit causes the communication unit to transmit information indicating the detected position, causes the communication unit to receive information indicating a position detected by another navigation device, and the display unit includes: The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein a position indicated by the information received by the communication unit is displayed together with the road network. 6. The navigation device according to claim 5, further comprising a voice notification unit that notifies a position indicated by the information received by the communication unit by voice. 7. A section information storage means for storing information for each predetermined section of the road network, and a travel time required for a connection combination of the predetermined section based on information for each predetermined section stored by the section information storage means. A route setting means for selecting and setting a travel route between the detected position and the input destination point by calculating, the display means displays the travel route selected and set by the route setting means, Displayed together with the road network, and the route setting means selects and sets a traveling route from the position indicated by the information received by the communication means to the destination point, and the display means selects and sets the traveling route. 6. The travel time required for the travel route is displayed.
Or the navigation device according to 6. 8. The route setting means selects and sets a travel route from the detected position to a position indicated by information received by the communication means from a predetermined navigation device, and the display means sets the route setting means. 8. The navigation device according to claim 7, wherein the driving route selected and set is displayed together with the road network. 9. The route setting means, when the position indicated by the information received by the communication means from a predetermined navigation device has stopped for a predetermined time or more, the position indicated by the information received by the communication means from another navigation device. From, select and set the traveling route to the position where it stopped for the predetermined time or more,
9. The navigation device according to claim 8, wherein the display unit displays a required travel time of the travel route selected and set by the route setting unit. 10. When the position indicated by the information received by the communication means from a predetermined navigation device has stopped for a predetermined time or more, the route setting means sets the distance from the detected position to a position stopped for the predetermined time or more. The navigation device according to claim 8, wherein a traveling route is selected and set, and the display unit displays the traveling route selected and set by the route setting unit together with a required traveling time and the road network. 11. The navigation device according to claim 6, wherein the voice notification unit notifies the required travel time of the travel route selected and set by the route setting unit by voice.